The team upset the United States 99-87 in the semifinals and then roared past Italy 79-60 in the final.

"It was certainly was a special moment for all of us, something we will never forget."

'They can dream the same dreams too'

Now the Toronto native, who grew up playing on courts in the Bloordale Village area, is hoping to inspire other visible minority people through his success.

"It also is a responsibility and hopefully it is something I can use to inspire others — whether they're brown, black, Asian or mixed race. If somebody can see that I have been able to, through hard work and some great relationships and some luck, to get to this point, hopefully they can dream the same dreams," he said.

Roy Rana, left, grew up playing basketball in Toronto. (CBC)

Canada men's basketball team is taking on Argentina for the Americup from Aug. 25 to Sept. 3.

Following the AmeriCup, Canada's pursuit of a 2019 World Cup berth will continue with the Americas qualifiers, where 16 teams will compete for seven World Cup spots.

Canada will face Bahamas, Dominican Republic and the United States Virgin Islands in Group D. The Canadians open against Bahamas in Halifax on Nov. 24.

Canada is currently ranked eighth in the Americas and 24th in the world.